Coal news and updates

APSEZ commissions Tuna Tekra bulk terminal

February 10: Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), India’s largest port developer and part of the Adani Group, said it has commissioned a bulk terminal at Tuna Tekra, Kandla Port, with an annual handling capacity of over 20 million tons in a record 24 months. Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, inaugurated the terminal after the berthing of the project’s first vessel, MV Sheng Ming, earlier in the day.

“We expect the terminal to be a game-changer for the export-import trade of the northwest hinterland of India, thanks to its strategic location. Add to it the Adani Group’s infrastructural prowess, speed of execution and operational efficiencies,” said Karan Adani, Executive Director, APSEZ.

“The port facility is our fourth in Gujarat and fifth on the entire western coast. Its commissioning marks further consolidation of our leadership in the port infrastructure sector in India. This new facility will play a crucial role in the ‘Make In India’ campaign. We are now aiming to complete the container terminal project in Chennai in a record time frame,” said Sudipta Bhattacharya, CEO, APSEZ.

The consortium, led by APSEZ, formed an SPV, Adani Kandla Bulk Terminal Pvt Ltd (AKBTPL), after winning the contract in June 2012 to set up the bulk terminal. The terminal was completed within the stipulated time frame. The dry bulk cargo handling terminal facilities includes a T-shaped jetty with four bulk berths, a vessel handling capacity of 1,00,000 DWT with (-) 16.2 m CD dredged depth and a capacity of 20 mmtpa.

The project is expected to benefit the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh amongst others. It is connected to the national highway grid through NH-8A coming from Ahmedabad via Wankaner, Morbi and terminates at Kandla Port.

APSEZ also operates ports in Mundra, Hazira and Dahej, in Gujarat, Dhamra in Odisha and operates specialised coal handling facilities in Mormugao in Goa, Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. It is currently setting up a container terminal in Tuticorin, Chennai.